A little insight, perhaps.

Here's one thing I have recently learned... And wish I would've learned about four years ago. Relationships should never be based on an 'if' mentality, they should always be based on 'because'-s.

Allow me to explain. What I mean is you should never have to say, "This will work if he shows me more affection." "He is THE one if he could just learn to make some more sacrifices." "He'd be perfect if he'd learn to act like he likes my family." "This will be great if I could just lose some weight so he'll think I'm beautiful." "He will love me forever if I can actually put up with him for that long..."

Instead of this obviously faulty logic, relationships should be based on a 'because.' "This is awesome because I like how affectionate he is." "He's definitely amazing because he IS willing to make sacrifices and I know that he cares about me." "It's even better because my family loves him." "He makes me happy because he sees my flaws and still thinks I'm beautiful." "I could love him forever because forever doesn't seem long enough."

That's what every girl should shoot for and I hope that you certainly never settle for anything less. Nobody really wants to have an 'if' kind of love, so don't let yourself.

Love BECAUSE.

It's so easy to find someone decent that could actually make you happy if they are willing to change. Behaviors can change temporarily, but at the heart, people don't and, normally won't, change. So don't settle for someone who doesn't bring out the best in you, who doesn't make you smile just from being around you. Don't settle for anything less than your deepest, most yearning desires.

Because that's what God made you for and that's what you unequivocally deserve.